What it is
Audio Note (UK) P2 SE — 18W parallel-SE Class A stereo power amp. 4× 5881 (or 6L6WGB pentode) + 2× 6SL7 driver. Custom AN UK output transformers (Signature variant uses tinfoil capacitors + IHiB output transformers). Hand-built Hove, East Sussex.
CRITICAL DESIGN FEATURE: integrated 100kΩ input volume control allows P2 SE to function as standalone "one input control centre" without preamp — directly from CD/DAC/turntable+phono into P2 SE. Useful for minimum-component vinyl-only systems: turntable → phono → P2 SE → speakers.
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FIT: 18W output mandates ≥90dB sensitivity speakers. Excellent partner for AN-E (96dB), AN-J (94dB), Living Voice (94dB), Klipsch Heritage, single-driver/horn speakers. Modest output sufficient for nearfield/small-mid rooms with efficient speakers.
Pre-amp pairing: native partner is M2 Line / M2 Phono / M3 / M5. Cross-brand: any preamp with RCA output ≥10kΩ. Use without preamp via integrated volume control if single-source system.
Who it comes up against
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
voices and midrange almost as good as any EL34Audiogon owner review 2012
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Leema Neutron, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Hydra II reference Leema stereo power ampLeema Hydra II positioning
4 lost · Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot decisively.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
separation of all elements was incredibleAudiogon owner review 2012
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot clearly.
With the ProAc Tablette 10 Signature, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the stronger power amplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the ProAc Tablette 10 Signature gives up timing and drive under the Intimate weighting.
separation of all elements was incredibleAudiogon owner review 2012
3 lost · Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
separation of all elements was incredibleAudiogon owner review 2012
2 lost· 1 won · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.
separation of all elements was incredibleAudiogon owner review 2012
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Audio Note SET, more power than P1 SEAudio Note P2 SE positioning
1 lost· 3 won · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Audio Note P2 SE takes the slot by a whisker.
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot clearly.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Ultima 6 stereo with high-frequency feed-forwardChord Ultima 6 stereo positioning
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
1 lost · Twin Arms
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · BBC Sound
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Quad Artera Stereo keeps the slot by a whisker.
With the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Audio Note P2 SE is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.